Be anti-social, get what you want?

I've noticed this trend a lot over the years, first in the on-line world, but lately more and more in real life: people being anti-social to get their way. Now, you'd think this would be counter-intuitive, but these people actually get away with it. Here's how it works.

1) Anti-Social Person (I'll call them 'ASPs') sees a situation that is not to their liking. Typically, this is something with a social aspect, like a long line, or traffic, or some such.

2) The ASP acts in a TOTALLY anti-social manner. They cut you off, drive in front of you (even though they can't move anywhere, etc). They will normally do this behavior while attempting to make no social contact with the people around them (not making eye contact, pretending not to hear comments).

Simple, eh? Here comes the best part. THEY are totally depending on YOU to act in a socially responsible manner, in order to assist them in their behavior! Calling them on cutting you in line would cause a ruckus in a public place, which people typically don't do. Likewise with honking your horn, drawing attention to them (and to yourself) by reacting loudly, etc.

With bullies (especially online), you'll see this type of behavior magnified. I used to go to this 3D place online, and one of the co-owners was an INCREDIBLE dick to people. He' d insult them, berate them, talk down to them, all the while making it seem like HE was the injured party. Totally unacceptable behavior, which, unfortunately, most of the other socially-responsible people simply ate for the sake of the community... BUT, if someone actually stood up and said "Wait a minute, I didn't do anything, what kind of response is THAT?!", not only would this guy dish on more in defense of his own actions, but OTHERS would jump on as well. It's an interesting social aspect of the PERCEIVED weak being picking on by the PERCEIVED strong, as if somehow these people can affect the worldview of them by initiating behavior typically seen by the actual "strong".

Again, online is the place where this is hardest to resist. In real life, I've found that bringing the anti-social behavior to the next level normally causes these people to run for the hills. Someone cuts in front of me, and I LOUDLY call them on it. The more people that turn and stare, the better, the ASPs hate that. Likewise if someone cuts me off; I'll just SIT on the horn, MAKING them acknowledge that they've done something they shouldn't have.

I think this world would be a lot better off if people were forced to be accountable for their actions, instead of just bludgeoning their way past it.